Women’s college basketball has witnessed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. Together with the increased recognition and commercial good results with the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the worth and leadership these major-tier coaches carry for their groups and universities. As universities carry on to take a position of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economical rewards that come with constructing powerhouse applications.
Below’s a look at the five best-paid Females’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their extraordinary salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues being the gold conventional in women’s university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic seven-calendar year, $22.four million contract, earning her the very best-paid Black head mentor in Gals's college or university basketball historical past. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, putting her firmly at the best of this record.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has remodeled This system into Among the most dominant dynasties in university basketball history—Adult men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular overall performance have ensured valuable contract renewals. His present contract includes a foundation salary, media obligations, apparel discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted recent problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price high.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.seven million
Following An effective two-10 years operate at Baylor, where she received 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball world by joining LSU in 2021. In only her second season Using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a new amount of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived by using a beneficial 8-12 months, $23.6 million deal, producing her among the highest-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide contention for over two decades.
Her very long-expression influence and progress of best-tier expertise have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer consists of bonuses for educational general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and university student improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Approximated Annual Salary: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply considered one of the best-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of M88 all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Closing Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer hasn't been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her position Among the many all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Changing Landscape in Women's Basketball
The rising salaries of these coaches are reflective of your rising reputation and monetary viability of girls’s school basketball. Applications are attracting more national Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are rising, and corporate sponsors are getting to be much more invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the labor, leadership, and achievement these coaches carry for their packages and the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these 5 coaches at present direct just how concerning earnings, numerous Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of such coaches has made considerable strides with their respective programs and could split in the top 5 in the approaching years as Girls's basketball carries on to increase.
Closing Ideas
The days of underfunded Girls’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command higher salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, shape the society in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to develop in recognition and assistance, we are able to be expecting these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to carry on climbing.
Women’s university basketball isn’t just preserving speed—it’s placing the tempo for the way forward for competitive athletics.